Lille: Neymar scored a penalty and missed another as Brazil signalled their intent ahead of next year’s World Cup by outclassing Japan 3-1 in Friday’s international friendly in Lille.
The Paris St-Germain star rolled in a 10th-minute spot-kick following consultation with the video assistant referee, although Neymar saw a second penalty saved shortly after by Eiji Kawashima.
Marcelo rifled in a magnificent second as Brazil doubled their lead on 17 minutes, with Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus rounding off a clinical counter-attack before half-time to make it 3-0.
Tomoaki Makino nodded in a consolation from a corner on 62 minutes but Japan remain winless against Brazil after losing for the 10th time in 12 meetings.
Serbia caretaker coach Mladen Krstajic enjoyed a winning start in his first game in charge as goals by Adem Ljajic and Aleksandar Mitrovic gave them a 2-0 win over China in a lively friendly in Guangzhou on Friday.
Krstajic, who took over from Slavoljub Muslin who was sacked after Serbia qualified last month for next year’s World Cup, fielded a revamped formation which showed plenty of attacking guile but continued to look vulnerable at the back.
Talented forward Ljajic, one of Krstajic’s starters cold-shouldered by Muslin, fired the visitors ahead after 20 minutes with a sharp follow-up after Dusan Tadic had two close-range shots blocked by Chinese defenders.
Switching to a four-man defence from Muslin’s preferred 3-4-3 formation, Serbia still struggled at the back and were rescued by three superb saves from reserve goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic before Mitrovic added the second.
The Newcastle United striker had three efforts clawed out by keeper Yan Juling before he beat him with a firm downward header after an excellent cross by Andrija Zivkovic.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Heung-min Son scored twice for South Korea as the hosts beat Colombia 2-1 in Suwon.
